Dealing With Burn Patients in War Zones

Antonios Koutras, Athanasios Syllaios, Ioannis Tsilikis, Georgios Kalinterakis, Prokopis- Andreas Zotos, Ifigeneia Zouliati, Adamantios Michalinos, Ioannis Karavokyros, Dimitrios Schizas, Emmanouil Pikoulis

Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2020 Jan 8;1-5

Abstract

Objective: Treating burn patients in the battlefield is one of the biggest challenges that military doctors and medical personnel can face. Wound patterns have been changed over time due to the introduction of new weapons, and many different aspects play a major role in the management of those burns nowadays. There is a potential gap in care of burn patients in war zones.

Methods: A thorough literature search in PubMed, scientific journals, and Internet sites was conducted in regard to burn patients and trauma in war zones.

Results: It is crucial for military surgeons to be able to stabilize burn patients during wartime conflicts, especially those patients who suffer from extreme burn injuries, as specialized treatment should be given. Medical personnel should be aware of all medication types used, the ways to minimize the risk of bacterial infection, and the ways to keep the injured safe.

Conclusions: Injured civilians with burn trauma in the field of battle are deserving care, and special recognition should be given to the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that strive to ease human suffering in war zones. Proper management of burn patients in war zones is crucial, and military medical staff and NGOs can play a key role in that purpose.